Columbus County students to explore technical, public safety and healthcare jobs at Careers on Wheels event

A large-scale, hands-on career exploration day for K–8 students

More than 3,400 students from Columbus County Schools, spanning kindergarten through eighth grade, are expected to take part in a hands-on career exploration event on March 23, 2026. The initiative, billed as a “Careers on Wheels” experience and organized in a “Touch A Truck” format, is set to take place at Southeastern Community College’s campus in Whiteville.

The event is being presented as the first time this specific “Careers on Wheels” program has been held locally, with the stated aim of introducing younger students to career options that can be difficult to visualize in a classroom setting. Organizers have emphasized early exposure to fields with local demand and clear training pathways.

What students will do at the event

The format centers on interactive stations where students can see, touch and ask questions about vehicles and equipment used in day-to-day work. Organizers say participating partners will bring trucks and specialized gear so students can connect the tools they recognize in their communities with the careers behind them.

• Hands-on interaction with industry equipment and vehicles
• Short explanations of job roles and how the equipment is used
• Opportunities for students to ask questions directly to professionals

Career fields highlighted: technical trades, public safety and healthcare

Organizers have said the event will spotlight three broad categories: technical careers, public safety careers and healthcare careers. The emphasis reflects an approach increasingly used by school systems and workforce partners: pairing career awareness with tangible demonstrations to help students connect personal interests to specific job pathways.

Event leaders have also framed the program as a way to introduce students to training opportunities available locally, particularly those offered through the community college setting. In practical terms, the day is designed to link student curiosity—such as an interest in vehicles or hands-on work—with an explanation of the jobs and training that sit behind those interests.

Why hold a “Touch A Truck” career event for younger grades?

Career exploration is often concentrated in high school, but organizers argue that introducing options earlier can shape how students think about classes, skills and future planning before they reach ninth grade. The approach is presented as both an educational experience and a longer-term workforce development strategy, intended to build familiarity with high-demand fields and the local routes into them.

Organizers describe the goal as building early awareness of local career options and how students can prepare for them over time.

Participation and logistics

The event is scheduled for March 23 at Southeastern Community College in Whiteville. Organizers have also invited businesses and industry partners interested in participating to register in advance, with the aim of expanding the range of equipment and career representatives available to students.

For Columbus County Schools students attending, the day is expected to function as a structured field experience focused on career awareness, with an emphasis on direct interaction, questions and real-world demonstrations.